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Tony Morris has been awarded a posthumous honorary doctorate from the University of Salford
His daughters Becky and Natalie accepted the Honorary Degree for'Outstanding contribution in the field of Visual, Musical and other Arts’ on his behalf.
Emily Sergeant -
20th July 2022 
Late ITV Granada Reports presenter Tony Morris has been posthumously-awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Salford.
His daughters Becky and Natalie accepted the Honorary Degree for his ‘Outstanding contribution in the field of Visual, Musical and other Arts’ on his behalf.
Tony was a much-loved and familiar face in living rooms across the North West, and was known for his trademark huge laugh.
He was described as being “instrumental” in helping ITV Granada Reports become the first-ever regional news programme to win a BAFTA, alongside his co-presenter with Lucy Meacock – who is now Chancellor at the University of Salford.
Read more: ITV Granada Reports presenter Tony Morris has died aged 57
Tony was also said to have been hugely-supportive of the University’s journalism students throughout his time at Granada, and particularly since the move to MediaCityUK.
“Tony was an absolutely outstanding journalist,” Lucy Meacock said in tribute to her former colleague.
“He had so many wonderful skills – but perhaps one of the most valuable was his ability to listen and immediately and quietly come up with the perfect question. He was never there to show off. An interview was never about him or showing off to other journalists. He genuinely cared about the people he met – and especially the people who’d had a struggle in life.
“Without doubt he was one of the best journalists I have ever met – and I have met many thousands over the years.”
She continued: “Everyone who met him has a lovely story to tell about him.
“He was always truly authentic. I am not sure fame sat very happily on his shoulders. He wasn’t even that keen on having his picture taken. But he was the one of the most genuine, kind and funny people I have ever met – and that simply shone through the TV screen.”
Tony’s daughters said pride was their “biggest emotion” as they accepted the honour.
His daughter Natalie added: “We’ve always been so incredibly proud of everything he’s achieved, so to have that recognised with all those people there, it just felt very fitting and very right.”
Featured Image – ITV
